The midfielder was at the town's Victoria Hall this morning to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton at their graduation ceremony. Muamba was presented with the award to honour both him and the doctors who saved his life when he collapsed with a cardiac arrest.

Speaking at the ceremony, Muamba said: "I'm getting stronger every day. I'm far away from being back on the football pitch.

"I really, really hope, by the grace of God, that I'll be back on the pitch but I'm just grateful to the university for this doctorate and I receive it on behalf of everybody who helped me to survive the cardiac arrest."